All Psyched Up: Giving with thanks

By Dr. Linda Hancock on October 11, 2025.

When my daughter’s children were younger, at each evening meal she would ask everyone at the table to describe their “Best thing of the day” and “Worst thing of the day.” This ritual provided a framework for daily communications and resulted in both celebration and problem-solving opportunities.

Unfortunately, each of us tends to focus on “Worst thing of the day” all year – until we get to Thanksgiving weekend. Then, out of tradition, we list the same things year after year that we hear others say or that we said last year. We state that we are thankful for family, health, food, home and career. Sometimes we might expand the list to include a trip we took, a gift received or being saved from some unexpected fate.

Throughout our lives we have heard the expression “It is better to give than receive” but we often are so focused on routine or survival activities – going to work, doing domestic tasks, paying bills, and taking care of family that we miss the chances to give.

This year I have been taking a 100-hour Creative Healing course through AskCraig.net. The program consists of videos, whiteboard presentations, affirmations and homework assignments. One of the topics is random acts of kindness designed to help others and the community. The goal is to build trust, focus on the positive and widen perspective. I got thinking that the author, however, didn’t mention the fact that when you give, you also receive.

One art activity involves taking a clean, empty, medium-sized jar and decorating it with pictures, lights, paint or other decorations. Instructions include placing it in a space where you will see it every day. You are to put a stack of small pieces of scrap paper and a pen beside the jar and throughout the month, write down what you did for someone else, and how it made you feel. Drop each note into the jar on the day you made the act of kindness.

Each act can be a small gesture such as holding a door open for someone, paying for a stranger’s coffee, doing volunteer work, visiting someone in a hospital, or giving a genuine compliment.

At the end of the month, review all the notes and think about how your actions not only helped someone else but also affected your mood and life. Was your jar empty or overflowing? How difficult was it to invest time and effort into the things you did? Did you have a favourite act of kindness? Why was it your favourite?

Ancient scripture states: “Cast your bread upon the waters, and it will come back to you tenfold.” This proverb requires faith, trust and giving without expecting immediate or obvious rewards but the principle is sound. You will benefit from giving too.

This Thanksgiving let’s think about how we can expand our thinking and use giving as a daily intention. Oh, and don’t forget to give thanks for family, health, food, home and career also!

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Calgary. She can be reached by email at office@drlindahancock.com

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